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Nancy and Garth Hutchinson run 1 Stop Alpaca Farm in Enniskillen on Durham Road 3 just east of Oshawa. They were hit hard with the ice storm and on Boxing Day the accumulated ice and snow on top of their hoop barn proved too much, causing it to collapse and pinning one alpaca.

At the time, Ms. Hutchinson put a plea for help on Facebook and about 50 members of the community came out to help remove the ice and free the animal, which ultimately had to be euthanized.

Ms. Hutchinson later lost another alpaca due to the stress of the situation but was able to save 10 more.

“Like any human being, when you’re stressed, your immunity drops,” said Ms. Hutchinson. “They’re so stoic, you don’t know when they have a problem until it’s too late.”

The couple was left wondering what they would do with their animals, which also include pigs, dogs and fowl.

Ultimately, five local farms stepped up and offered to house the animals while they worked on a permanent solution.

These days Ms. Hutchinson travels between the farms to care for her animals. It’s exhausting work, but she’s grateful to the people who have taken them in.

Alexa Wilson is among them. She said she’s happy to help Ms. Hutchinson, who helped her in the past.

“Because I’m a new alpaca owner, whenever I wasn’t sure about something I would call,” said Ms. Wilson.

Ms. Hutchinson said many of the strangers who stepped forward have now become friends. The community has come through with offering to donate not only money to replace the barn, but skills in general contracting and electrical work and building materials.

One man visited the 1 Stop Alpaca store to buy himself a pair of socks and decided to give the farm a substantial donation as a birthday gift to himself.

“I cried, what else could I do?” said Ms. Hutchinson, explaining her reaction to the news.

She said people have offered to donate not only money, but skills from contractors, electricians and supplies.

She doesn’t know how to say thank you for all the support.

“It was just overwhelming, I couldn’t believe how much love there is in the world,” said Ms. Hutchinson. “I’m having a hard time expressing how thankful I am. We live in a pretty good community.”

Ms. Hutchinson said she wants to pay the kindness forward by creating a therapeutic farm working with special needs adults who need to be empowered, and the new barn will allow her to provide those services.

Clarington officials have approved a minor variance for the site allowing the barn to be built. This time, the couple will not be using a hoop barn, which their insurance company resisted covering following the collapse.

While fundraising is ongoing, the couple is hoping to begin construction this spring.

At one point, wondering whether the barn collapse was a sign that she should get out of the business, Ms. Hutchinson said the community support is a clear sign to carry on.

“One person said the community saved us and they were absolutely right,” she said.

A dinner and dance to support the farm is being held at Knox’s Pumpkin Farm, 6325 Enfield Rd. in Hampton, on May 30. Tickets for the event will be available at the following locations: The Glass Slipper, 55 King St. W. in Bowmanville; A Gift of Art, 187 King Ave. E. in Newcastle; and KB Food, 120 Brock St. N. in Whitby.

Reporter Reka Szekely covers the City of Oshawa for Metroland Media Group’s Durham Region Division. Reka's social media column appears every other week. Contact her on Facebook, Twitter (@rszekely)

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(1) Comment

By Roy|APRIL 29, 2014 05:13 PM

Great news!!!! At the time this tragedy happened I felt there would be people in the community who would come forward to lend a helping hand.